This very early c.1960 answer-phone (actually an 'Ansafone') was found in the bottom of a cupboard in my Granny’s house, in 2005.

It was used by my Grandpa at his London office.

This 1/4 inch recording tape inside contains many recorded messages from when it was in use. Some of these must be pre-1971 as they make reference to costs/payments in pre-decimalisation terms. Most are cloth orders from customers, including Liberty, with a few relating to the supply of printed stationary and to the dying of some material. One message seems to be a recording of a conversation that my Grandpa had with a friend, arranging to meet later at 'the club' . One particular customer (“Liley, West End”) crops up many times, with her wonderfully plummy accent, although I'm not sure if Liley is her name, or the name of the establishment.

Published on YouTube as a record of a bygone age....